EICMA: Six-Cylinder for BMW K-Series Debuts in Prototype

BMW says that “in the foreseeable future,” it will come out with a K-Series touring bike powered by the same 1600cc six-cylinder engine used by its Concept 6 prototype, unveiled today at EICMA.

According to BMW, the in-line engine is about 4 inches (or 100 mm) slimmer than all former straight-six production engines, and only a bit wider than a “large-capacity straight-four with conventional technology.” In its layout, the engine follows the straight-four in the K 1300 model series, again coming with cylinders tilted to the front by 55 degrees.

The engine comes with dry sump lubrication. The oil reservoir is provided by an oil tank integrated at the rear of the engine block.

BMW says output of the six-cylinder will be in about the same range as on the company’s 1300cc straight-fours. Torque, on the other hand, will be “right at the top of the range.”

The engine will make a claimed 96 ft.-lbs. of torque at 2,000 rpm, and will rev up “almost” to 9,000 rpm.

The engine offers long inspection intervals through the use of cup tappets controlling its valves.

For more information on Concept 6 itself, check out BMW’s full press release following the image below.

Munich. Six-cylinder power units have always had particular appeal, offering not only supreme smoothness and refinement, but also superior power and performance as well as a truly emotional driving – or, in this case, riding – experience. A further point is that the typical sound of a straight-six almost like a turbine is absolutely incomparable, with straight-six power units at BMW having stood for fascinating engine technology in BMW cars for more than seven decades.

Looking at motorcycles, inventive engineers have also tried time and again to offer the enthusiast the thrilling concept of a straight-six power unit. But while a few engines in straight-six configuration have indeed been fitted in motor­cycles both lengthwise and crosswise, the straight-six has never really made a genuine breakthrough neither on production models nor in motorcycle racing. (Continued)